Northern Ireland will once again take centre stage as Portrush plays host to the World Surf Kayaking Championships 2017.

Splashing into action from October 20 - 28 the event will attract around 150 competitors from as far away as Australia and America and is expected to draw world-wide attention to what is certainly one of Northern Ireland's most impressive coast lines.

Organised by CANI, the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland, the event is supported by Causeway Coast and Glen’s Council and promises an action packed week of spectacular displays of surf kayaking off the North Coast.

Organiser, Ashley Hunter of CANI, is excited about what lies ahead for the event.

Ashley said: “We are delighted to host this exciting event and have already had plenty of interest from participants eager to compete but to also get the chance to visit Northern Ireland and soak up the legendary atmosphere.

"Our competitors will battle it out amongst the waves to become the best team and the best individual and we have high hopes for some of our local competitors to place well in the competition.

"The event will take place at Portrush’s East Strand, which is the perfect location for competitors and spectators alike to enjoy the event, the area has a rife café culture and big appetite for surfing and water sports in general so we expect it to be very well received.”

In previous years the event has been held in Spain, America and even Australia. John Watson, Interim Chairman of the World Surf Kayaking Association. is confident that Northern Ireland is the ideal venue for the 2017 event.

He said: “This is the major event in the surf kayaking calendar and the only occasion where athletes from all over the world meet together to surf and socialise together not forgetting competing to be the best in the world.

"The athletes, family and friends are looking forward to visiting Northern Ireland to see the sights and experience the Northern Irish hospitality”.

Alderman Maura Hickey, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, is delighted that the area will welcome this event which will certainly put the area on the worldwide map.

She said: “We are delighted that Portrush has been chosen as the first venue in Northern Ireland to hold this competition. Our area is well known for hosting world class sporting events, and we can now add surf kayaking to our repertoire.

"East Strand will provide a stunning backdrop for this competition, and we are looking forward to seeing how the world’s best surf kayakers perform in this part of our beautiful coastline. I wish all competitors the very best of luck, and I hope they enjoy their time in the Causeway Coast and Glens.”

Surf kayaking is the sport, technique, and equipment, used in surfing ocean waves with kayaks.

The sport has grown in popularity over the last decade and now has thousands of people taking part worldwide.

Canoeing and Kayaking is the fastest growing watersport in the UK and it is hoped that this event will attract more people to the sport and continuing its growth.